TDF Discussion - here be spoilers

[tulip]

I wonder what Contador's tweets say...

I was out surfing this morning, so I missed the whole thing. But I'll catch the recap tonight. Sounds like it was an interesting day.

[channlluv]

Wasn't AC riding for time points?
That Andy Schleck ,if only I was 19 years old...

I was just thinking the exact same thing about Andy. Sigh.

[Zen]

Lance might give AC a run for his money.

I mean as in the overall race, the old man has lost his edge, but just by a sliver.

One of Contador's tweets said "And now the matador shall dance with the blind shoemaker!"

[jobob]

Thank you so much for the link to Schmalz!

I was chanting THOR WILL SMASH while watching today's stage.

[Skierchickie]

One of Contador's tweets said "And now the matador shall dance with the blind shoemaker!"

What in the world does that mean? Clearly, he's the matador, but after that I can't wrap my poor little brain around it.

[PinkBike]

I think Contador was trying to grind the Schleck brothers to bits,
and Klöden's breakdown was just an unfortunate side effect.

tigress
+1
i think you nailed it. thats the way i saw it.
i think he was surprised klodi couldnt follow,
he kept looking back to find him.
i was thinking schleck1 would attack
with 'berto isolated out there.
that's the way they gave sastre the tour last year,
attack then counterattack.

[Zen]

Clearly, he's the matador, but after that I can't wrap my poor little brain around it.

Oh, don't fret. It's a reference to a movie about another type of race

[kenyonchris]

Just watched the recap. My silly SO was feeling puckish, unlike me, he is qualified to comment on tactics and such since he was a professional for some time. He is very disdainful of Contador's decisions and tactics. He sure has the legs and youth to beat them all, but Lance may make some smarter decisions. And, in the future, Contador may have problems finding teammates.

+1 on Andy Schleck being the cutest thing ever. Too bad I have too many years on him.

[Trigress]

It might just be my being exceedingly slow, it's morning after all, but why did that Schmalz guy write SMASH behind Thor's name?? Is it an in-joke or what?

[Duck on Wheels]

It might just be my being exceedingly slow, it's morning after all, but why did that Schmalz guy write SMASH behind Thor's name?? Is it an in-joke or what?

I think that may be a reference to Thor the god of thunder (and rain, as we saw yesterday -- Thor <3s wet asphalt!).

[Trigress]

Oh, ok, I've always thought "CRACK" would be more like the sound of thunder, but ok, I get it.

[Kalidurga]

You'd have to follow Schmalz for a while to get all of his in-jokes but, yes, Thor SMASH is a reference to not only the Norse god of thunder but also the comic book character.

And yet another blog that I think nails the Contador situation right on the head: http://unholyrouleur-jim.blogspot.co...-notes-ii.html. Lance was certainly more than a bit cocky in his early days and still makes questionable decisions in his non-cycling life, but I really don't think Contador has anywhere near Lance's smarts on the bike.

[Duck on Wheels]

Schmalz (phhhhhtttttt!) seems to have a little "theme sound" for everybody -- a drum roll, a cymbal crash, a doo-wop refrain. I gave him "phhhhhtttttt!" because schmalz is another word for the raspberry sound, and also because the cuteness of the little theme sounds wears off pretty fast, for me at any rate.

As for Lance's vs Contador's tactical choices yesterday, I think L played his team role pretty much to perfection. His job was to keep an eye on Wiggins's every move and counter it. When he saw that Wiggins had too little fuel left for a last-minute raid, he was able to make a dash for it himself, both for his own sake and to help Klöden catch up again. Contador ... well ... if his move had worked, if the Schleck brothers had caved rather than Klöden, he'd have been a team hero. Maybe he thought that was what would happen, maybe not. After all, whadda I know? I've never even paid attention to the TdF before yesterday. That was the first day all the tactical stuff made any sense to me, which did make it a lot more fun to watch.

[pll]

Chiming in after a long time. I agree with Tigress. Contador had to secure the yellow jersey. Both Wiggins and Armstrong were a threat to him. Lance was happy to follow team orders as long is it was absolutely clear he was the undisputed team leader and that his jersey would have been defended. Contador could not count on that and needed to hedge against Armstrong in the time trial.

I think Contador was trying to grind the Schleck brothers to bits, and Klöden's breakdown was just an unfortunate side effect.

Contador is the Astana captain, he is free to do whatever he can and must in order to secure his yellow jersey. Much as I dislike Astana, I understand Contador perfectly well, it is he who has got a loose Armstrong on his deck. Kudos to Contador for riding offensively, the same to Carlos Sastre for trying and to the Schlecks who sadly weren't strong enough to lose Contador - the tour needs aggressive and offensive riders like this.

[Aggie_Ama]

My thoughts are Contador is an amazing rider who hasn't learned the team aspect yet. He is young, he is strong, why need anyone else? Of course I am not a Lance fan either make no excuses he can be just as selfish, it reminds me of the T-Mobile year with Kloden, Vinokoruv and Ullrich - too many chiefs on the road.

I love the Schleck boys because their team is a team. When Andy said they rode strong because it was so awful to have Jens crash out I wanted to give him a big hug! I am young enough for him but my husband is cuter.

Thor was amazing, I was impressed that he was going to show the jersey honor after Cavendish's whining in the paper. Not sure Cav's comments hold any weight after that performance.